NOW-NJ endorses May 22 rally in Trenton

by Laura Farrell, examiner.com, Newark, May 51, 2010

Gov. Chris Christie calls for big cuts to education and health care, while sparing the wealthiest.

AP Photo/Mel Evans

Last night, the New Jersey chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW-NJ) distributed an email calling on members to participate in New Jersey Citizen Action's rally in Trenton on May 22. The rally is likely to draw a large crowd in support of public services, public schools, public colleges. and public health facilities. Protesters are demanding a reinstatement of the millionaires tax, which the New Jersey legislature has now approved but which Governor Chris Christie has vowed to veto.

NOW-NJ said that many of Christie's cuts will hit women hardest, while sparing the wealthiest. NOW-NJ told its members: "Our Governor wants to give tax breaks to millionaires and take from the dwindling middle class and the working poor to balance the state budget. The two fields hit the hardest by Governor Chris Christie's cuts are in education and health care, which are fields that are heavily employed by women... In addition, the Governor is putting women and their newborns in life threatening situations and his actions have racist and sexist implications."

Hundreds of labor and community groups around New Jersey are supporting the May 22 rally including Communications Workers of America, Garden State Equality, Health Professionals and Allied Employees, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, NAACP New Brunswick Area Branch, New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey Policy Perspective, New Jersey Working Families Alliance, Professional Firefighters, Take Back Trenton Coalition, and United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW).

As reported by Matt Friedman, State House Bureau for The Record (northjersey.com), organizers for the event say it will draw tens of thousands of protesters to Trenton, and that the rally will be the biggest in Statehouse history.

New Jersey Citizen Action has arranged for free bus transportation for participants, but seating is limited and filling up quickly. If you would like bus transportation to the rally, contact Adam Sherman at may22rally@njcitizenaction.org or at 732-246-4772 ext. 22. There are 18 pickup locations throughout the state, including Newark and Montclair. Buses will leave between 8am and 9am on May 22 for the 12 noon rally at the Statehouse. For a full list of pickup locations and for more information, visit New Jersey Citizen Action's website.